Water-filter



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

O. B. DAVIS 86 E. Hi R'IDDELL. WATER FILTER.

No; 450,222. Patented Apr. 14, 1891.

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(No Model.) 4 Sneets-Sh eet 2. c. B. DAVIS & 3.. H. RIDDELL.

WATER FILTER.

N0. 450,222. Patented Apr 14, 1891.

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O. B. DAVIS 8: EH. RIDDELL.

WATER FILTER.

No. 450,222. 2 Patented Apr. 14, 1891.

(No Model.) 4 Shegts-Sheet 4. O. B. DAVISK: E. H. RIDDBLL.

' WATER FILTER.

No. 450,222,. Patentd Apr. 14, 1891.

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To all whom it may concern:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHESTER B. DAVIS AND EDlVAltD H. RIDDELL, OF CHICAGO,ILLINOIS.

WATER-FILTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 450,222, dated April 14, 1891.

Application filed December 14, 1888. Serial No. 293,653; (No model.)

Be it known that we, CHESTER B. DAVIS and EDWARD H. RIDDELL, citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Water-Filters, which is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of an apparatus embodying our invention; Fig. 2, an elevation of the same, partly in section; Fig. 3,a sectional view taken on the line 11 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a detail elevation of a portion of the operating mechafiism; Fig. 5, a detail sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6, a detail plan view taken on the lineS 3 cf Fig. 4; Fig. 7, a detail view of one of the cups; Fig. 8, a sectional View of the same; Fig. 9, a detail sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 6; and Fig. 10, a detail sectional view of the lower portion of the hub.

Like letters refer to like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

Our invention relates to filters, and more particularly to that class employed in the purification of large quantities of water.

Our present invention is in the nature of an improvement upon what is set forth in a prior application filed by us December 17, 1887, Serial No. 2582M; and it consists in certain novel features which we will now proceed to describe, and will then particularly point out in the claims.

In the drawings, A represents the tankof the filter, which may be of any suitable construction, and which in the case of a filter of large size, such as is shown in the drawings, is strengthened by suitable vertical braces a, which are preferably arranged in radial rows, as shown. The filter-tank A is filled to the height of the line a: a; with sand, gravel, or other suitable filtering material.

B indicates the discharge-pipe, which, as in our application hereinbefore referred to, is a radial pipe, with which communicates a series of collecting-pipes 1), arranged in circles one within the other and each connected at both ends to the discharge-pipe B. In our prior application these collecting and discharge pipes are shown as arranged within the tank Aand above the bottom of the same.

In order to increase the available space within the tank and at the same time facilitate inspection and repair, we have now arranged these'pipes below the bottom of the filter-tank. Each pipe I) is provided with a series of upward-extending pipes 19, which pass upward through the bottom of the tank A, and are provided at their upper ends within said tank with straining-cups B. Each cup Bis provided near its top and bottom with diaphragms B constructed of wire, perforated metal, or other suitablematerial, and the space between the two is filled or nearly filled with shot. The diaphragms B are held in place in suitable seatsbymeans of retainingrings B secured by screws 19 so that the said diaphragms may be readily removed and replaced when desired, and access had to the tank and extending upward therein, as shown.

In the present instance'we have shown four of these inlet-pipes; but it is obvious that a greater or less number may be used, according to the size of the tank and the amount of work to be accomplished. Each inlet-pipe D is open atits upper end, and is provided with one or more undulating ribs or splines d ex tending along the same from top to bottom on the exterior. Above each inlet-pipe is mounted a cylinder E, passing downward through a suitable stuifing-box E in the top of the filter-tank and capable of vertical movement therein. These cylinders are of sufficient internal diameter to telescope or slide over the inlet-pipe D when depressed. Each cylinder is provided at its lower end with a hub F, which latter is in turn provided with a series of hollow radial arms F, perforated, as shown at f, on their under sides and communicating with the interior of of the hub F at their inner ends, as shown in Fig. 2. The hub F is so connected to the lower end of the cylinder E that while it v moves vertically along with said cylinder it is free to oscillate around the same. This connection is preferably effected in the man ner shown in the drawings, in which a collar 6 is formed on the lower end of the cylinder E, said collar resting in a suitable seat in the hub and being retained by means of a cap f on the hub. The lower end of the hub F embraces somewhat loosely the inlet-pipe D, so as to move freely up and down the same, and at the same time oscillate around it, the fit being, however, sufficiently loose to allow the water to pass downward between said hub and pipe and wash away any sand or other material from the path of the hub. Within the lower portion of the hub there is formed a groove F which receives the undulating rib or spline d. This groove is contracted at its center and flares outward or increases in width from this point both upward and down ward, as shown more particularly in Fig. 10 of the drawings, so that as the hub F, with its radial arms F, is moved upward or downward upon the inlet-pipe D the engagement of the groove F with the undulating rib or spline d will impart to the said hub and to its arms a movement of oscillation.

The cylinders E are connected in pairs to transverse beams G, to which their upper ends are pivoted, as shown at g. The beams G are operated by means of hydraulic cylinders G, mounted on the sides of the filtertank A, two of these cylinders being employed for each beam and having their pistonrods g pivoted to the ends thereof.

In order to render the operation of the hydraulic cylinders automatic and equalize their action, we have devised the following mechanism:

H represents a supply-pipe, by means of which water under pressure is supplied to the hydraulic cylinders, said pipe being provided with a valve h, by means of which the flow of water may be regulated or entirely out off, as desired. This pipe divides at h into lateral branches H, which supply, respectively, the two or more sets of mechanism which regulate the two pairs of cylinders. These two sets of mechanism are identical in their structure and operation, and we will therefore describe only one set, it being understood that the same description is equally applicable to the other. Each pipe H opens into the side of a valve-casing I through a port *6, and on the opposite side of said valve-casing are provided ports 7 andz' communicating, respectively, with pipes I and 1 the former of which leads to the bottom of the hydraulic cylinders and the latter to the top thereof, in the manner hereinafter described. At one end of the valve-casing I is a port 2' which communicates with a waste-pipe 1 by means of which the exhaust-water may be discharged from the apparatus. Within the valve-casing I is a slide-valve J having a passage j therein through its center from ,end to end. I This valve may thus be said to be annular in form,

and within its annular body is formed a circular passage J, passing entirely around the same. At a point opposite the port i of the valve-casing there is formed in this valve an elongated port j, by means of which communication is maintained between the portz' and the passage j. At the opposite side the valve J is provided with ports 9' and f, by means of which communication may be established between the ports 2" and i and the passage J, respectively, according to the position of the valve.

J 2 indicates a stem, attached to the-valve J and passing through the end of the valve-casing I into the cylinder J its end within said which it communicates with the passage j. r

A waste-passage 9' forms a communication between the end of the valve-chamber J and the valve-casing I.

J indicates a stem, connected to the valve J by means of which said valve is operated through the mechanism hereinafter described.

The pipe Ileads from the valve-casing I to a three-way cook 1 from which branch pipes I lead to the lower ends of the two cylinders The pipe I leads to a similar three-way cock I, from which branch pipes Ilead to the tops of the two cylinders G. The cock I is provided with an arm 1 by which it may be operated, and the cock I is provided with a similar arm 2', bywhich it may be operated, the two arms being connected by means of a rod 2', so that the two cocks are turned simultaneously.

K indicates a hollow shaft, having its lower end mounted in a suitable fixed bearing 7r, attached to the stiiffing-box E, the said shaft extending vertically upward therefrom parallel with the cylinder E, and having its upper bearing in bracket-arms E attached to the upper end of the cylinder and free to slide up and down 011 said shaft. Between the bracket-arms E there is mounted on the shaft K- a crank-arm K, provided with a spline 76, which fits a longitudinal groove k in the shaft K. p

K represents a shaft mounted in a bracket e, projecting from the top of the cylinder E, said shaft being provided with a slotted arm K through the slot of which projects a pin g on the beam G. At its other end the shaft K is provided with a crank-arm K, which is connected by a link 70 to the crank-arm K. At its lower end the shaft K is provided with an arm-K which is pivoted to the connect ing-rod i which operates the cooks I and I.

As hereinbefore stated, the shaft K is hollow,and there is arranged within the same a rod L, which is connected at its lower end to a bell-crank lever L, to which the end of the valve-stem J is pivoted. The upper. end of said rod projects above the shaft K and bracket-arms E and is provided at said point with an adjustable collar Z, secured by a set-screw Z or other suitable means. Near its lower end the rod L is provided with a transverse pin 1 which projects outward through slots k in the shaft K, so that the ends of said pin are in the path of the bracket-arms E and will be struck by the lower one of said arms in its descent.

The filter-tank A is provided with a suitable outlet A, arranged, preferably, near the top of the same, through which the wash-water may escape during the operation of washing the filter-bed. This outlet and the pipe B will be provided with suitable means for closing them, so that the one may be closed when the other is in use. In order to reach those portions of the filter-bed which are not thoroughly operated upon by the radial arms F,

we employ upright perforated pipes M, ar-

ranged with the tank at those places where the said arms do not operate effectually and supplied with water by means of distributing-pipes M, which are in turn supplied with water by means of a pipe N, connected to the supply-pipe C and provided with a gate or valve n, by means of which the passage of water through it may be controlled.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: VVhen'the ordinary operation of filtering is going on, the water enters through the supply-pipe O and is carried by the distributing-pipes G to the several inlet-pipes D. Passing up these inlet-pipes it enters the cylinders E or their hubsF, according to the position of the parts, and into the radial arms F, through the aperture f of which it is forced out into the filter-tank A. It then passes down through the filtering material and through the straining-cups B, which serve, as hereinbefore set forth, to retain any of the sand or other material which would otherwise tend to pass out with the filtered water. Thefiltered waterthen leaves the tank through the pipes 12' and is collected by the circular pipes b and discharged into the pipe B, by which it is conducted to any desired point for use. hen it is desired to wash the filterbed, the cylinders E are forced downward through the medium of the mechanismprovided for that purpose and the radial delivery-arms will pass downward through .the filtering material therewith. During the downward movement the water will be forced out through the apertures f and stirs up the sand or other filtering material, thus thoroughly washing the same and cleansing it of impurities. It will be observed that these arms have an oscillating motion imparted to them during their descent, which not only' greatly increases the cleansing action of the water issuing from them by more thoroughly stirring up the filtering material, but also increases the area operated upon by each particular arm, so that the efficiency of thewashing is greatly increased thereby. During this operation of Washing the gate or valve n is opened and water passes from the supply-pipe 0 through the pipe N to the distributing-pipes M, and thence to the wash-pipes M, through the perforations of which it passes outward into the filter-bed and serves to wash those portions of the filter-bed which are not thoroughly cleansed by the action of the wa ter issuing from the radial arms. The dirty water resulting from the washing operation passes up through the'outlet A, the dischargepipe Bbeing closed during this operation.

The hydraulic mechanism for raising and lowering the cylinders operates in the following manner: When the valve h is opened, the water under pressure from any suitable source passes through the pipes H H to the valve-casings I. Referring now to the operation of one-half of this hydraulic mechanism, the action of the other being identical if the valve J be in a position shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the water passes through the port j in said valve into the passage J and thence through the ports 3' and 4." into the pipe I. From the pipe I it passes through the cock I into the pipes I to the lower end of the cylinders G, thereby raising the pistons therein and carrying the beam G upward. This upward motion of the beam is imparted to the cylinder E, and the upper bracket-arm E thereon, being in contact with the collar 1 on the rod L, raises the said rod and through the medium of the bell crank L and the valve-stem J 8 moves the valve J 6 over to the other end of the valve-chamber J The Water then passes through the pipe J into thegroove 7' around the valve J and through the port j into the cylinder J Its pressure is there exerted upon the piston J so as to move the valve J over into such a position as to bring the port j opposite the port 1?, and at the same time bring the port i into communication with the interior of the valve-casing I. During the motion of the piston J the waste water or dead-Water escapes through the port j into the valve-chamber J and thence through the port j into the valve-casingI. The change in'the position of the valve J causes the water under pressure to pass into the pipe 1 and thence through the cock I into the pipes I which open into the cylinders G near the tops thereof. The pistons in said cylinders are then forced downward and through the piston-rods g carry the beam G downward, thereby depressing the cylinders E. During this downward motion of the pistons within the cylinder G the waste or dead water passes through the pipes I and I. into the valve-casing I, and thence through the passage j in the valve J to thewaste-pipe 1 The dead water from the valve-chamber J 5 passes out in a similar manner. As the beam G moves downward,it carries the bracket-arms E downward along with it, and the lower one of these arms comes in contact with the pin Z and thus moves the rod L downward, thereby shifting the valve J 6 back to the position shown in the drawings through the medium of the connecting mechanism described. Water is then admitted to the other sideof the piston J and the valve J is thereby moved back to its original position,thereby reversing the motion of the cylinders G and carrying the beam G and cylinders E, with their connected parts, upward again. During the return of the piston J to the position indicated in the drawings the dead water passes out through the port J into the valve-chamber J and thence through the passage 9' in the valve J and through the port j into the valve-casing I. It will be observed that the hydraulic mechanism acts automatically to continue the vertical movement of the washing devices as long as is necessary or desirable, and its operation may be arrested at any time by closing the valve h.

In case the two cylinders G, which are connected to each b'eam G, do not act equally the said beam will tilt or assume a position at an angle to the horizontal position, which it should properly retain. IVhenever this oc curs, the shaft K is rocked or turned by means of the engagement of the pin 9 with its slotted arm K and the arm K" on said shaft, through the medium of thelink and crankarm K will rotate the shaft K in a corresponding direction. This rotation of the shaft K will, through the medium of the arm K and connecting-rod 2', turn the cocks I and I in such a manner as to decrease the supply of water to the cylinder which is operating too rapidly and increase the supply to that cylinder which is operating too slowly, and this will continue until the beam is again horizontal, when the supply to the two cylinders will be equal. It will thus be seen'that the mechanism described will so regulate the flow of waterto the two cylinders as toalways maintain the beam G in a horizontal position and cause the cylinders E, which are connected thereto, to advance evenly and at an equal rate of speed.

It is obvious that. our invention is not limited to the particular details set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings. For instance, other mechanism than that described may be employed to impart vertical movement to the distributers, although we prefer the mechanism which we have devised for this purpose. Moreover, various modifr cations in the details of the construction and arrangement of the parts will readily suggest I themselves, and we therefore do not wish to consider-ourselves limited to the precise details and arrangement shown and described.

It is obvious that, although we have here shown the equalizing devices in connection 1. In a water-filter, the filter-tank, in com bination with a vertically-movable distributer provided with radial distributing-arms, perforated as described, arranged within the tank, and actuating devices whereby said distributer may be moved up and down through the filter-bed within the tank, and at the same time oscillated to wash the filter-bed Without removing the same from the tank, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. In a water-filter, the combination, with the filter-tank, of a vertically-movable cylinder provided with radial delivery-arms, perforated as described, and means for oscillating. said arms, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. In a water-filter, the combination, with the inlet-pipe D, having undulating rib or spline (Z, of the vertically-movable cylinder E, thehub F, provided with distributing-arms, perforated as described, and free to oscillate on said cylinder, and a groove in said hub to receive the rib or spline (Z, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4. In a water-filter, the combination, with the inlet-pipe D, having undulating rib or spline (Z,'of the cylinder E, having collar 6, and the hub F, provided with a suitable groove F to receive the rib (Z, a seat to receive the collar 6, a cap f to retain it in position, and radial perforated arms f, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. In a water-filter, the combination, with the filter-tank, of the distributer provided with radial arms, perforated as described, actuating devices whereby said distributer maybe moved up and down through the filterbed within the tank, and at the same time oscillated, and fixed perforated vertical washpipes arranged in those portions of the filterbed not reached by the distributer, substantially as and for the'purposes specified 6. In a water-filter, the combination, with the filter-tank, of one or more vertically-movable cylinders provided with perforated delivery-pipes within the tank, a beam or beams above the tank to which said cylinders are connected, and hydraulic actuating-cylinders having their piston-rods connected to said beam or beams to operate the same, substanstantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. In a water-filter, the combination, with the filter-tank, of vertically-movable cylinders arranged in pairs and provided with perforated delivery-pipes within the tank, a beam to which the upper ends of each pair of cylinders are connected, and two hydraulic cylin- IIO ders for each beam mounted on the side of the filter-tank and having their piston-rods connected to the respective ends of the beam, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

8. In a Water-filter, the combination, with the filter-tank A, of a water-collector arranged below the same and consisting of the dis charge-pipe B and the circular pipes 1), arranged in concentric circles and connected to the pipe 13 at each end, and the pipes 1), connecting said pipes b and the interior of the filter, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

9. In a water-filter, the combination, with the distributing-cylinders and the operatingbeam to which they are pivoted, of two hydraulic cylinders for actuating said beam, arranged at opposite ends thereof, and equalizing mechanism, substantially as described, connected with the beam and adapted to regulate the action of the cylinders, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

10. A vertically-movable beam or support, in combination with hydraulic cylinders and pistons for moving the same, a supply-pipe for said cylinders, a single regulating-valve controlling said supply to both cylinders, and mechanism controlled by the tilting of the beam to move the said valve-device in opposite directions to equalize the action of the pistons, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

11. In a water-filter, the combination, with the cylinders E, beam G, and hydraulic cylinders G, having supply-pipes provided with tcr crank-arm and the valves I and I, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

12. In a Water-filter, the combination, with the valve-casing I, of the supply-pipe H, the pipes I and 1 leading to the hydraulic cylinder, the valve J, arranged within said casing and having central passage 7, annular passage J, and ports j, j and 9' and the Waste-pipe 1 opening into one end of the valve-casing, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

13. In a Water-filter, the combination, with the vertically-movable cylinder E, of the 1101- low shaft K, having slots 70", the rod L, arranged Within said shaft and having pin Z and collar Z, the bracket-arms E carried by the cylinder sliding on said shaft and adapted to strike said pin and collar, the bell-crank L, and the vah'e-stem J for operating the mechanism which controls the main valve, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

CHESTER B. DAVIS. EDWARD I-I, RIDDELL. Witnesses:

FRANK 0. SMITH, A. M. BEST. 

